Absorbing the Immortal Herb

"Yang Er, what do you think of having your teacher absorb the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid?!" After reading the notes, Ning Fengzhi looked at Xu Yang, who was teasing Ning Rongrong, and asked.

"Why not absorb the Aromatic Silk Beauty, Teacher?! The Eight Petal Immortal Orchid has mild, rich medicinal properties and is easy to absorb. It can strengthen one's foundation, nourish one's essence, and purge impurities from the body, but it takes a very long time. It would be better suited for Rongrong, who has yet to grow up!" Xu Yang was somewhat puzzled.

Ning Fengzhi had been stuck at level seventy-nine for several years. His accumulation was sufficient, yet he could advance no further. Although the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid could evolve a Martial Soul, it required too much time and was unsuitable for him. It would be better for Ning Rongrong, who had yet to awaken her Martial Soul, to consume it instead. Even if she could not completely absorb it in four years, it could still evolve her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

"I only wanted to save the Aromatic Silk Beauty for Rongrong! After all, according to your notes, the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid is more effective at improving cultivation aptitude and cannot fully guarantee a Martial Soul Evolution." Ning Fengzhi shook his head and explained, "My accumulation is already sufficient. With the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid's medicinal power, I may be able to break through the shackles of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and reach the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. This is merely an extra safeguard."

"Either way, I've already handed the Immortal Herb over to Teacher. How you use it is up to you!"

Though Xu Yang did not quite understand, he respected Ning Fengzhi's choice.

What followed was the refining process. Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were summoned for it as well. Sword Douluo refined the Black Jade Divine Bamboo first. It took less than half an hour, and though his Soul Power Level did not increase, the sharp aura of the Seven Kill Sword became even stronger, and its potential rose further still.

"I feel that after cultivating for a while longer, I'll be able to reach level ninety-seven!"

Chen Xin gripped the Seven Kill Sword in his hand and spoke softly. The Black Jade Divine Bamboo had no effect of increasing soul power. Its only effect was to enhance the Martial Soul itself, particularly its sharpness and resilience, while increasing a Spirit Master's potential.

Chen Xin had originally been stuck at level ninety-six for many years. The reason he had failed to break through was that after his father had been killed by Qian Daoliu, he had taken the wrong path. His mindset had developed problems. He believed soul power was the foundation of everything and lacked absolute faith in the Sword Dao.

Although his mindset had not changed now, the Black Jade Divine Bamboo had enhanced his potential and given him the possibility of advancing once more. That was why he could break through.

"Then it's my turn!"

Seeing that Chen Xin had finished absorbing his herb, Gu Rong impatiently sat down cross-legged. In two bites, he swallowed the Land Dragon Golden Melon and began refining it. The Land Dragon Golden Melon contained dragon qi, having grown after absorbing a trace of the dragon qi of the Ice Fire Twin Dragon Kings.

For Gu Rong, it was an enormous tonic. His Martial Soul was the top-tier Bone Dragon, capable of traversing space. By absorbing the dragon qi within it, even if his Martial Soul could not evolve, it would still improve its quality. Most importantly, it also had the effect of increasing soul power.

"Hahaha! Old Sword Man, I'm level ninety-six now. In a moment, I'll show you just how formidable I am!"

After absorbing the Land Dragon Golden Melon, Gu Rong burst into laughter, then provoked the expressionless Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, beside him.

Although Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo were close friends, they had fought each other their entire lives, neither willing to yield. Yet in their previous matches, due to the difference in their Soul Power Levels and the Seven Kill Sword, Gu Rong had basically never won.

But things were different now. They were at the same level, and his Martial Soul had advanced further as well. He refused to believe he still could not defeat that old fellow Chen Xin.

He felt terrifyingly powerful right now.

"Then you can try!"

As he spoke, Chen Xin looked at Gu Rong with fighting spirit blazing in his eyes. The Seven Kill Sword had somehow already appeared in his hand.

"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, let us absorb the Immortal Herbs first. You'll have plenty of time to spar afterward. Besides, Rongrong still needs the two of you to look after her, doesn't she?!"

Seeing his two uncles on the verge of drawing blades, Ning Fengzhi hurried forward to mediate.

The moment they heard the name "Rongrong," the two old men immediately restrained their fighting spirit. Gentle, affectionate smiles appeared on their faces as they walked over to Xu Yang, extended their hands, and softly called out:

"Rongrong, come to Sword Grandfather!"

"Old Sword Man, get lost. Rongrong won't pay attention to you!"

"..."

The two old men began arguing right in front of Xu Yang.

"No, I want Brother to hold me!"

Ning Rongrong shook her head and buried her face in Xu Yang's embrace, ignoring the two old men before her.

Chen Xin and Gu Rong stood frozen in place, as though their souls had left their bodies. They had never expected that after accompanying Rongrong for so long, they would still be less dear to her than some brat who only occasionally kept her company.

Xu Yang gave a wry smile and gently patted Ning Rongrong's back. "Rongrong, Brother has something to do. Go stay with your two grandfathers for a while!"

"Alright then!"

Upon hearing that, Ning Rongrong reluctantly climbed out of Xu Yang's arms and walked toward her two grandfathers, turning back with every step.

Xu Yang gave them an apologetic smile, then slowly walked to the side. Not caring that the ground was dirty, he sat down cross-legged and took out the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower from the Wishful Treasure Sack to begin absorbing it.

Absorbing the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower differed from absorbing other Immortal Herbs. He needed to gather and channel his soul power to draw its medicinal power into his body. The process would be extremely painful, and if he gave up halfway through, more than half of the medicinal power would be lost.

As his soul power enveloped the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and drew its medicinal power into his body, Xu Yang felt an unprecedented heat surge through his entire body. It was as if he had been roasted over a fire. His clothes instantly turned to ash, revealing an exceptionally muscular physique. Under the scorching force, his skin also turned crimson, like a cooked shrimp.

That was not all. Layers of fine black sweat seeped out from every part of his body, covering his skin, cheeks, and hair. With every additional layer of black sweat, his physique became more streamlined and even more perfect.

His originally jet-black hair also began to change. Under the sunlight, it shimmered with a faint dark-red hue.

On the other side, Ning Fengzhi and Madam Ning also swallowed the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid and the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone. Thick white mist began to billow from Ning Fengzhi's body, wrapping around him. With every breath he took, the mist flowed into his body through his nose and mouth.

The Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone on Madam Ning's body showed little in the way of unusual phenomena. Her skin merely became smoother and more supple, as delicate as white mutton-fat jade, beautiful beyond compare.

Elsewhere, after a bout of inner struggle, Ning Haiyan finally decided to eat the strange purple ganoderma. There was only one reason: he believed Xu Yang would not harm him.

After he finished eating the ganoderma and sat cross-legged to refine its medicinal power with his soul power, purple light began to radiate from his body. Fine black beads of sweat also continuously seeped out from all over him, filling the entire room with a strange smell.

Ning Fengzhi was the fastest to refine the medicinal power, not only because his cultivation was high, but also because the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid was extremely easy to absorb. Most of its medicinal power would lie dormant within the body, gradually merging with it over time.